Relevant Links:

New at the School

New Programs:

Right now, the CPFEA Board and staff are working on inventing new programs, based upon an interesting set of new ideas. (Stay tuned!) Critical to this mission are the ongoing efforts to market these new programs and to establish an intirim financial base which will enable them to launch these new programs.

A New Name:

At their meeting on January 12, 2002, the board of the College Park Friends Educational Association (CPFEA) created a new center, called the Sierra Friends Center, located at what we all know as the JWS campus, to serve as an umbrella organization for the CPFEA's educational programs. "John Woolman School" is the name of one such program which is currently suspended, with no immediate plans for resumption.

But don't ask me...

Currently, the best online source of information about the school can be found at the John Woolman School Web Site. They are making a significant effort to keep it updated with their latest and greatest news.

JWS Suspends Operations

The Board Action:

At an emergency meeting on October 6, 2001, the John Woolman School's board (CPFEA) decided to “temporarily suspend [the school's] program due to financial nonviability”. By October 19, 2001, the academic program will be halted, and the students will all be gone.

With less than 20 students, the school was facing impossible financial difficulties. A restructuring committee is being formed to examine options for future programs. In a statement to the press, Amy Cooke, the school's Head (principal) said. "We are fully intending to restart the school. Our Quaker programs are needed now more than ever."

In a letter to JWS staff members, Susan Hopkins, the clerk of the CPFEA board, stated "At this point in time we are planning to proceed by researching and developing innovative programs to best meet the needs of youth in the new century. We feel that John Woolman School can be a model of unique programs and we will be spending the next few months in exploration and design. As Friends say, 'Way will open.' "

Ed's Commentary: 

As a member of the CPFEA board, this has been one of the most painful decisions I have ever had to face in my life. Nonetheless, the decision had to be made, and we saw no way to keep the school open without serious risk of losing ownership of the campus itself.

I simply cannot find the words to express how sad I feel about this, and I know that many of you will feel likewise. There is optimistic talk about what might rise, phoenix-like, from this ending, and there are those who are already at work to make it happen. I am sincerely hopeful that those who must now plan for the future of the facility will find a path that is beautiful and inspiring. But I do not expect the school to be reopened as a secondary boarding school that is anything like what JWS has been. The school, as I have known it and loved it, simply is no longer.

I will really miss John Woolman School.

(emptiness symbolizing silence, remembering all that has been)

And in a completely unrelated event:

Dear Fellow Woolmanites,

For the last ten years, it has been my great pleasure and privilege to support the JWS Alumni Association in many ways. But the time has come for others to take the reigns. The JWSAA is now under the leadership of Heidi J, Marylouise L, Tania S, Ann Z, and Rachel W. In a very real sense, the Alumni Association may be the most significant piece remaining of John Woolman School, so please give them all the love, support, and appreciation that you possibly can.

And in any case, I would love to hear from each of you from time to time; you can email me at WombatEd@JWSalumni.org, or phone me at (310) 838-4330. And I'll see you at the Gathering!

Love,

Ed